What structural characteristic of the epidermis prevents water loss and the entry of pathogens

PARIS: Forest fires supercharged by climate change are burning twice as much global tree cover as 20 years ago, according to a data Wednesday showing the equivalent of 16 football pitches are now lost every minute. The research showed in unprecedented detail how wildfires have progressed over the past two decades, with the blazes claiming an estimated three more million hectares each year — an area the size of Belgium — compared with 2001. The study showed that the majority of tree cover loss is occurring in the boreal forests that blanket much of Russia, Canada and Alaska, which are among the largest storers of carbon on Earth. Researchers from the University of Maryland used satellite imagery to map areas of tree cover lost, including that burned by what are known as stand-replacing forest fires. Related Stories Two killed in Morocco forest fires Forest fires rage in scorching southwest Europe Probe sought into KP forest fires These are fires that kill … [Read more...] about Climate change driving unprecedented forest fire loss

Published 29 October 2018 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The wife and son of Leicester City's owner have laid a wreath at the club's stadium after he was killed alongside four others in a helicopter crash. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of staff, the pilot and a passenger all died after the aircraft spiralled out of control outside the ground. The club's first team and youth squad were also at the King Power Stadium. A team investigating Saturday night's crash has recovered the aircraft's digital flight data recorder. Leicestershire Police named the other people killed in the crash as Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, and pilots and partners Eric Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz. Police have said Ms Lechowicz was a passenger at the time of the crash. The club chairman's wife Aimon and son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha were joined at the ground by … [Read more...] about Leicester City helicopter crash: Owner’s wife and son visit stadium

Celebrities are seemingly removing their previous public support of Johnny Depp in the wake of unsealed court documents becoming public earlier this month. Newly unsealed court documents from Depp's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard have revealed a number of new cross accusations and allegations - that both parties were prevented from flinging at each other -two months on from the actor successfully winning his libel case against his ex-wife. It's reported that unsealed pretrial court documents claim that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, 59, allegedly wanted to submit his former wife's nude pictures as evidence during the high-profile trial earlier this year. Whilst Heard was equally prevented from making allegations against Depp. Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, model Bella Hadid and Yungblud are amongst the big names alleged to have removed their 'like' from Depp's Instagram post shared on June 1. Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner is amongst … [Read more...] about Celebrities unlike Johnny Depp’s Instagram post amid unsealed court documents allegations

Amber Heard has officially filed to appeal the verdict of her defamation case against ex-husband Johnny Depp. It has been a week since a judge rejected the 36-year-old actress' demand for a new trial, which came nearly two months after she was ordered to pay Depp, 59, more than $10million in damages. On Thursday, Amber filed notice that she will appeal the civil case in Fairfax County, Virginia, DailyMail.com has reported that the court documents state. A spokesperson for Amber Heard has told The Mirror the reasons why the appeal has been filed. They said: "We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment. "We are therefore appealing the verdict. While we realise today's filing will ignite the Twitter bonfires, there are steps we need to take to ensure both fairness and justice." Amber Heard is appealing the verdict of her defamation trial against ex Johnny Depp ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) … [Read more...] about Amber Heard appeals defamation case verdict after new Johnny Depp trial demand is rejected

Roman Kemp is set to open up about how he once contemplated suicide and his battle with depression since childhood in a new book. The Capital DJ will discuss the impact on his life after losing his best friend, Joe Lyons, the radio producer who launched his career, to suicide. ‘Are You Really OK?’ promises to lift the lid on Roman’s personal life in a bid to “smash the stigma still surrounding medication and mental health”. “I never intended to write a book at this age, I thought it was something I could perhaps do later in life,” said Roman. Are You Really Ok? is available to pre-order and will be released in October ( Image: Amazon) “But then, in the pandemic, my best mate Joe took his own life and it turned my whole world upside down. “Losing Joe made me start researching how many young men take their own lives every year.” Speaking of his research, he added: “And the answers shocked me. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 40 … [Read more...] about Roman Kemp shares harrowing struggle with depression as he contemplated suicide

Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Millions of residents in China's south-western Sichuan province have been hit with rolling power cuts amid a severe heatwave and drought. In the city of Dazhou, home to some 5.4 million people, blackouts are lasting up to three hours, local media report. They say factories in the province have been forced to cut production or halt work as part of emergency measures to redirect power supplies to households. Hydropower reservoirs are currently down by as much as half, officials say. Temperatures across Sichuan and neighbouring provinces have exceeded 40C (104 F) in recent days. As a result, electricity demand for air conditioning in offices and households surged, putting power companies under extreme pressure. The Yangtze River - Asia's longest waterway - is now at record low levels. In some stretches, there … [Read more...] about China: Millions hit by power cuts amid heatwave

Published 4 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The mother of a six-year-old boy from Londonderry has thanked a stranger for saving her son's life at a County Donegal beach. David Moore was playing with friends on Culdaff Beach last week when their football rolled into the water. David, unaware of the dangers, tried to retrieve the ball himself before he was taken out to sea by a rip current. "I ran down to the water and just couldn't see him, that's when my hero came to the rescue," Sarah Moore said. Riptides, or rip currents , are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can quickly quickly drag people out to deeper water. The mother-of-two said that she and her children go to Culdaff beach regularly during the summer months and decided that morning to spend the day there. "Wee David was down near the water playing football with his … [Read more...] about Mother thanks stranger for saving her son from riptide

By Michael Race Published 26 July comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war European Union members have agreed to cut gas use in case Russia halts supplies but some countries will have exemptions to avoid rationing. EU members, locked in talks since the idea was suggested last week, have now agreed to voluntarily reduce 15% of gas use between August and March. "This was not a Mission Impossible!", tweeted the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency. However, the deal was watered down after previously not having exemptions. The EU has said its aim from the deal is to make savings and store gas ahead of winter, warning that Russia is "continuously using energy supplies as a weapon". The voluntary agreement would become mandatory if supplies reach crisis levels. … [Read more...] about EU allows get-out clause in Russian gas cut deal

Published 3 April 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Leicester City fans were treated to a free beer and a doughnut at the sellout game against Southampton. Foxes fans attending the home game could redeem the offer before the match to celebrate the club owner's birthday. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, whose birthday is on Monday, would like to thank fans for their "fantastic support" throughout the season. Leicester moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium. Each ticket holder could collect a complimentary bottle of beer or bottled water and a doughnut from points outside the stadium. Susan Whelan, the club's chief executive, said Mr Srivaddhanaprabha arrived to the UK from Thailand "just to be with us and to support the team" for the game. "There are many special bonds that exist at our football … [Read more...] about Leicester City fans get free beer and doughnut for owner’s birthday

By Lisa Summers Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics UK contaminated blood inquiry As a young boy in the 1970s Myles Hutchison was treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for haemophilia, with blood products that he later discovered were contaminated. At the age of 12, Myles, who grew up in Leith, was told he had developed hepatitis. Now 50, he is one of about 4,000 people who will receive compensation as a victim of the blood scandal which saw thousands of people contract HIV or hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s through NHS treatments. Patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were unaware that the Factor VIII blood clotting products they were given were contaminated. Some died after developing AIDS and others developed serious chronic conditions. "There was a stigma attached to it," Myles says, "and I … [Read more...] about Contaminated blood: If I was paid in tears I’d be a billionaire